What is the Connection Between Niacin and Triglycerides?

Triglycerides are a fat found in the blood stream that are primarily produced in the liver of humans. High levels of triglycerides, which are a type of cholesterol, are known to cause heart disease and strokes. Niacin is a vitamin that helps reduce high levels of triglycerides in the human body. Niacin and triglycerides are tightly linked because this vitamin is one of the few medicines that can quickly reduce triglyceride levels in the blood.

Niacin is also known as the vitamin B-3. It reduces the amount of bad cholesterol in the blood stream by blocking the amount of cholesterol produced by the liver. Niacin and triglycerides are thought to reduce bad cholesterol in the blood stream because daily niacin supplements can reduce triglyceride levels by as much as 50 percent.

Cholesterol can be broken into three primary categories. These are the high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and triglycerides. LDL is often termed bad cholesterol because high levels are known to cause heart disease. HDL is sometimes called the good cholesterol, because it helps reduce the effects of LDL on the heart and arteries.

A standard cholesterol test typically includes the evaluation of HDL, LDL, and triglyceride levels. If an individual has high levels of bad cholesterol and triglycerides, he may be prescribed niacin. Niacin and triglycerides have a positive correlation with increasing good cholesterol, while reducing bad LDL cholesterol

Niacin is a vitamin that increases the HDL levels of blood lipids in the bloodstream. This increases the good cholesterol while simultaneously reducing triglyceride levels. The vitamin provides a dual attack on bad cholesterol, which helps reduce the chance of heart failure and stroke.

Bad eating habits are one of the primary contributors to high cholesterol and poor triglyceride levels. A healthy diet, in conjunction with medication, can significantly reduce bad cholesterol in the blood stream. Niacin and triglycerides management must include limited fat intake and reduced alcohol consumption to work successfully.

High triglyceride levels have been linked to smoking cigarettes, eating fatty foods, and drinking excessive amounts of alcohol. If an individual is taking niacin to reduce cholesterol, he should limit his usage of tobacco and alcohol during treatment. This will greatly improve the likelihood the drug will reduce triglyceride levels.